How to pay for therapy: What is a Superbill?
If you’re looking to start therapy you have a few options of how to pay. Historically, the most common way to pay for services is out-of-pocket cash-pay where you pay your counselor for every session. Some counselors may also accept insurance and will bill your insurance provider directly leaving you to only cover any relevant co-pays. But what if your counselor doesn’t accept your insurance and you still want your insurance to help you cover the cost? That’s where a Superbill comes in.
What exactly is a Superbill? A Superbill is an invoice that your counselor can provide you with at the end of every month. This invoice will provide a description of the services provided and the cost spent on therapy. You can then submit this Superbill to your insurance company to claim out-of-network benefits. Depending on your insurance company and your out-of-network coverage, you will receive back a portion of the money spent on services. It is important that you consult with your insurance provider to verify your out-of-network benefits. It is important to note that even with a Superbill you will still be responsible for paying your counselor their cash-pay session rate for each session.
For example: If you are working with me and my session rate is $150, and are looking to use a Superbill to claim out-of-network benefits to help you cover the cost of therapy, you can expect to pay me $150 per 50-minute session. At the end of every month I will email you a Superbill with the itemized list of services and cost spent on those services. You will then submit this Superbill to your insurance company. If approved by your insurance company, you will be reimbursed directly for your money spent on sessions.
The key take aways:
A Superbill does not mean that your insurance will cover all or any of your therapy costs.
You are responsible for verifying your Out-Of-Network benefits with your insurance company.
Your counselor will not send a Superbill directly to your insurance company.
You are still responsible for paying for your therapy sessions at the time of each session.
Still have questions on Superbills? Feel free to reach out at info@alwayswellness.org!
